Leeds senior player left Cambridge stadium on crutches - reliable journalist
Match

Leeds senior player left Cambridge stadium on crutches - reliable journalist

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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By Alex Stevens

Liam Cooper left the Cambs Glass Stadium on crutches following Leeds' FA Cup win against Cambridge on Monday night, according to a reliable journalist.

The stand-in Leeds skipper broke down 71 minutes into the third-round tie, which Leeds won 2-1 after coming from a goal down against the League Two outfit.

Second-half headers from midfield pair Stuart Dallas and Alex Mowatt secured a place in the fourth round for a side featuring eight changes.

But victory came at a cost for Garry Monk's side, with first choice centre-back Pontus Jansson slapped with a yellow card that takes him to the 10-booking ceiling and trigger an automatic two-match suspension.

The Sweden international is out of Friday's Championship clash against Derby at Elland Road, and he could be joined on the sidelines by fellow central defender Cooper.

BBC Yorkshire broadcaster Adam Pope, who was at the Cambs Glass Stadium, took to his personal Twitter account to report that Cooper hobbled out of the venue "on crutches with an impact injury".

Pope explained that the 25-year-old "is a doubt for Friday but it's hoped he's ok".

Manager Garry Monk is now facing a centre-back crisis for the encounter against Derby, who are seventh in the Championship and have promotion ambitions of their own.

Kyle Bartley, who was rested from the starting XI against Cambridge, but replaced Cooper after 71 minutes, is likely to be the only one of the three senior centre-backs available to play.

It could mean Monk having to shift one of his full-backs across to a central position, with the versatile right-back Luke Ayling the most likely option.

In other Leeds news, the club are in talks to sign a £10million-rated Premier League striker.

Leeds United
Liam Cooper
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